Author's Note: Calm down! I know you're excited for a new chapter! Trust me, I see that silly smile on your face right now…well not that I'm a stalker or anything, but…well, you get the point. Anyway, with the little free time I have, I present you a new chapter of Bane of My Blood. So many unanswered questions and still plenty of time to learn. Hopefully some will be answered in this chapter, but who knows. I like to torture my readers, mwhahahaha!
Also, just wanted to comment saying Thank You for your guys' for your support! I'm glad that you are enjoying my story! Your reviews are always so enjoyable to read! Just for that, how about a nice length of a chapter ;)
Well anyway, let's begin! Enjoy the new chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything, besides any original characters or content mentioned in this story.
Chapter 4 – Digging for the Truth
Maria…
The eccentric billionaire couldn't help his eyes wondering the passing street lights, as his limo drove through the twist and turns to his mansion just outside of Amity Park. His thoughts continued to wonder all over. It disturbed him to say the least. He was ordinarily a focus individual, set with specific personal goals. However, not only was he thinking about the arising darkness from an unknown force, but as well as thinking about his long lost friend. He never had any romantic feelings for Maria, such that he had for Maddie, but she was always supportive of his research and was always there to help him. Even after his "unfortunate" accident with ecto-acne caused by the buffoon of her brother, she always visited him at the hospital to spark up a conversation, just to keep him company. She was the only one who would see him. She would always told him stories about ghosts that she helped and how she hoped to help all lost spirits.
He admired her for that, but he remembered warning her that not all ghost had good intentions. Of course she knew that, but she was willing to take a risk all because of one ghost. He remembered her mentioning one spirit that she had met, that she became very close with. She would continue to come to hospital to share about her adventures and time spent with this specific ghost. Any time he asked for the ghost's name though, she said she couldn't share.
"Why? Do you not know the name either?"
She gave a small grin and titled her head, trying to insure the injured man, "I do know, but for the safety of others I can't share."
"Safety? Are you sure you know this ghost's true intentions than? I would be devastated if you got hurt."
She looked straight into his eyes with her sharp, azure colored eyes, she reached out and grabbed his hand while he laid there on the hospital bed motionless, "Is it strange to say that I trust this ghost with my life?"
Vlad remembered that he couldn't help but smile, "He must be a very good friend than. Very few people now a days have those strong connections."
"He is… though I'm afraid of what would happen if my brother ever found out about him. He would never believe me that he is friendly or a least try to hunt him."
"Well, I won't say anything. It's not like Jack has ever stopped to visit to spark up a conversation."
Maria turned her head away is despair, "I'm sure his guilt is just too much for him or he is busy taking care of his newborn daughter or…"
Vlad placed his hand on her shoulder, "Don't take this accident on your shoulder, it wasn't your fault. You need to realize you can't carry everyone's weight, dear." He still couldn't help, but blame Jack for this. He lost everything because of him, so why couldn't the fool at least visit, or send an apology letter? Was their friendship nothing, but a phase? He hated to see his sister carrying the guilt for him.
She lifted her head and tried her best to wipe a tear away that managed to escape, "Sorry! I just can't help it. It's just this uncanny feeling to want to be there for everyone." She tried to laugh, while speaking. She always hated people seeing her upset. She always put others before herself, which would of no surprise be her downfall.
The memory faded, and Masters couldn't help but rise from the car seat to the sound of his limo driver, "Sir, we've arrived. I apologize for waking you."
"No, no you're fine." Vlad quickly stretched and stepped out of his affluence limo and walked toward the front door, were he was greeted by his variety of ghostly servants. One quickly took his coat and another began brewing his favorite tea.
One servant rushed down the royal stairs and all most collided with the halfa, "Sorry sir! But the ghost here are out of control! I…I tried too…and Skulker and Technus and…" For a ghost, her breath easily showed her exhaustion.
"Allie, don't worry. Let me handle this."
"Yes sir!" She cheered, practically saluting.
The older hybrid shifted from his human form to his ghost form and flew through the many floors, leading up. Eventually, he came across one of his large ballrooms filled with ghosts from all over the Ghost Zone. Left and right, ghosts were flying across the decorative ceiling and some looked as if they were setting up camp.
Plasmius couldn't help, but let out a loud sigh placing his fingers in between the bridge of his nose, "Skulker, when I said a few of your friends could hide out here, I didn't think you would bring every ghost here!"
"Hm, well it wasn't my intention, but we had no choice."
"No choice, you say?"
"Yeah!" Ember McClain yelled, before landing in front of Skulker. She moved her guitar behind her, and crossed her arms in frustration. She resorted to stomping her right foot repeatedly to physically show her emotions, "We were kicked out of our homes, due to some skeleton army! Again!"
Plasmius annoyance slowly parted as he was curious of the cause. It couldn't have been Pariah. He was sealed away forever by Daniel. Maybe they were the same ghost he fought earlier, "Were these skeletons dressed like Vikings? Bones as black as charcoal and smeared with blood?"
"Sounds like you encountered them as well?" Skulker asked.
"More or less. Daniel and I fought a few not to long again. Do any of you have any idea who is behind this?"
Most of them shook their head in disappointment. The only thing they knew was there was a dark entity coming, and no one wanted to stay and watch. Many of ghosts felt ridiculous for fleeing, but there was obviously something wrong to have many of them escape. It was if they knew subconsciously who or what is was, but couldn't put there figure on it. Almost like an awkward space in their memories that desperately needed to be filled.
Plasmius eventually left the room, "I apologize for my leave, but I must do some investigation. Please stay if needed, but I should warn you, anything you break will not be the only thing that needs repairs." For only a half ghost, his power was very much intimidating, and none of the ghost wished to challenge him. So, they simply nodded in agreement and flew off in separate directions.
As Plasmius reverted back to Masters, he began walking down the hallways leaving the ghosts to do whatever they pleased. Skulker, however, followed close behind any eventually approached the stressed out, opulence man.
"So, did the ghost child have the book?" Skulker asked.
Vlad nodded, "I'm concerned with the knowledge the book keeps. It's obviously written in a foreign language to prevent others from reading it, but…"
An awkward pause left the hunter curious, "But what?"
"Daniel appears to be able to understand the material, at least to an extent."
"That could be trouble. Is the enemy targeting the whelp?"
"Maybe, or they only know that he has the book. Which is better than them getting a hold of the truth. Which they almost did with a Mindok."
"A Mindok? I thought that was merely a legend?"
"You've heard of it?"
Skulker closed his mechanical eyes and slightly nodded, "I thought it was just a made up monster to scare others, mostly the young spirits use it to scare the new comers."
"Well it appears that its existence is true. And if that's the case, who knows what else may be lurking out there. Maybe the theory of an unknown, hidden past might be true and the Vul Strin might be the key to this whole mess."
"But, if it is simply a history book, why would someone go through the trouble of trying to claim it?"
"I'm not sure. Hopefully, we'll never have to find out why. Unfortunately, that's not how these things tend to turn out."
Finally, the two appeared by the entrance of Vlad's study quarters. He went to reach for the door before looking back at the robotic hunter, "I know I'll have to check on Daniel tomorrow. He'll probably get himself in trouble with everything going on."
Skulker couldn't help, but give a taunting grin, "Actually caring about whelp, are we?"
Vlad saw it coming as soon as he showed some concern, "Of course Daniel and I don't see eye to eye, and it's what gets us into our fights. I certainly don't want to see the boy dead, though he is a pain to deal with at times."
"Personally, I'm still going to enjoy the hunt of Phantom when this whole mess is over." Skulker announced, while he tried showing off his new weapons. Eventually, he noticed Vlad was not paying attention and rudely walking away from the conversation. Skulker sighed and flew off back toward the ballroom in annoyance, hoping another would appreciate his new armament.
Vlad closed the doors behind him, resting at his newly furbished desk and leather stocked chair. One of his servants phased through the door, placing a new cup of tea for him. She bowed down in respect for the man, and flew off hoping her disturbance was merely unnoticeable.
It wasn't long before the older hybrid to have stacks of books and notes surrounding him. Time seemed to be nonexistent for him, as his reading took him further and further into the night. He couldn't find much information, about a hidden past. Of course, government conspiracy files kept popping up left and right, even some with the involvement of the Guys in White program.
His thoughts then moved on to look through books he collected from the Ghost Zone and tried to find anything about these dragons that Daniel briefly spoke about. After what seemed like a hopeless trial of reading, he came across one book that sparked his attention. The Undying Snow. He reached over and began reading.
Every year, the land froze solid and life remained unmoving. Even the simple grain, had no chance of even seeing the sky. This cold waste land was a normal part of life for northern tribes, but one year the snow came early and an unfortunate village was unprepared for the harsh winds. They began to pray to their goddess, who was known for watching over the tribes during the cold weather but their prayers were unheard.
A small group of villagers decided to team up together to search for the silent goddess themselves. Stories said she lived deep in the forest and that seeing her would bring good luck for the season. The group said their good byes and left their loved ones through the harsh, cold world. Days eventually turned to months, and the villagers could no longer bare the harsh weather and lack of food. They, unfortunately, fell victim to the frozen lands and never found the goddess. With their desire unclaimed, their spirits remained trapped in the forest.
However, the spirits continued to pray together, hoping that they would be heard. Out of surprise, their prayers were heard and a dragon, covered with the white fur of a wolf and armor made of the coldest of metals appeared.
"It appears that you were unable to survive the trials…that is unfortunate." The dragon spoke.
"Our goddess! We have prayed that you would appear and you have! What joy!" The leader cheered.
The dragon again spoke in sadness, "I carry the burden of all your deaths. I should have helped, but I wanted to test your strength. I wanted you to learn to survive without relying solely on me. For that I should carry my guilt forever."
"Do not feel burden my goddess! Please just grant our wish and spare our village. This is all we ask."
The dragon nodded in agreement and promised that she would spare the village, "I do ask though. Now that your wish has been received, perhaps I shall take you to the gates of the afterlife? There you shall find eternal peace from your trial."
But the leader and the group turned down her offer, "We wish to serve you for all eternity! If you would allow it."
"But, if your serve me, you will never find rest that wondering spirits deserve. The home of the lost spirits would be your home. Your forms will alter, and your human appearance will fade. Do you understand this price that you would have to pay?"
The leader nodded, "Your greatness is all we need. Your desire to protect leaves us in awe."
The dragon finally agreed to their choice, and their fates were sealed. Their forms, no longer human, carried the same white fur that she wore as well as the appearance of the northern white bears. Horns made of pure ice and a strong build allowed them to remain standing on two legs. There long tails became the finishing touch on their fearsome forms. For years, they followed the goddess, and spreading her assistance to the far reaches of the northern villages of the world of the living. However, the wolf like dragon made a sudden stop in her journey.
"What is the problem oh Great One?"
"I sense my time may be coming soon."
"But you are immortal! A ghostly being such as yourself cannot die!"
The dragon looked down at her beloved servants, "Of course I can live on, but if my ghostly core is damage, I cannot retain a physical form and remain all, but a memory."
"What can we do? We will follow you to the end if needed!"
"No! You must carry on my task if I should disappear! Help those who are in need."
The dragon lead them to the far ends of the land of the dead, to a space that no rogue spirit had rarely past. With her amazing power, she created a land. A land of ice and snow, "Here shall be my gift to you. A home for you. I apologize that this is all I can give. I wish I could give you a peaceful rest that you deserve."
"Nonsense! Your gift is one that we shall cherish for all eternity!"
She then approached the leader of the group and handed him her last treasure, "This map was created, by my brother. Use it well my humble servant, for it shall take you to any realm. Even the living, so you can carry on my task."
"My goddess…will we ever see you again?"
The dragon simply remained quiet and finally spoke, "That I cannot answer. If the worlds greatly need me, maybe I'll have the blessings of a return."
The dragon simply vanished. It was the last time the villagers ever saw their goddess.
Vlad closed the book, and sighed. You couldn't help, but remain lost in thought. This was one of the only ancient texts from the Ghost Zone that ever spoke of a dragon, except for that of Aragon's people. What also caught his attention was the villagers and their loyalty, there description was very familiar.
Maybe if he found and spoke to them, they could answer his unanswered questions or maybe even help stop this chaos from spreading.
"WHAT! WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL US SOONER?" Sam's voice couldn't help, but echo across Danny's room through the video chat.
"Sam! I'm alright! The parasite thing is taken care of…well mostly." Danny said, trying to cheer up his concerned friend.
"MOSTLY?" Danny could practically see steam rolling from Sam's ears.
Tucker couldn't help, but laugh, even though his concerns were apparent, "So, do you think your aunt, which you told us about, might be connected to whatever is going on?"
"I'm not sure Tuck, maybe she uncovered something that she wasn't supposed to, which could have led to her death or the fact she befriended a ghost who was involved."
"Hm, well, after the research we did. We did uncover a dragon ghost attack, about sixteen years ago. It was an old newspaper article about the Guys in White fighting a high powered dragon that almost destroyed Amity Park." Tucker said, showing a blurry picture of a ghost and Guys in White soldiers lying in the street.
Danny shrugged, "It could be related, since the book talks about three ancient dragons that ruled the ancient world, but who knows if there are a bunch of ghost dragons out there. I mean, there's Aragon and Dora."
Sam eventually took a breath, "So to sum this all up, we are trying to prevent an ancient evil from returning, without knowing anything that is going on. While, having to put our faith in an ancient book that constantly tells you to shut up?"
"Yeah pretty much," Danny couldn't help but fall back in his chair. He began thinking about that one dragon, Nahagliiv, the one that was evil and sealed away. Maybe it was he who was returning or at least trying too. The book constantly brought this dragon up, his darken heart cannot be erased, it will appear when his servants rise again. "We might have to go to the Ghost Zone to find some clues on what we're up against. I have a pretty simple idea who is behind it."
"You do?" Sam asked.
Danny nodded, "But…"
"I know, I know. The book has sealed your lips. So, what is your plan for going into the Ghost Zone?"
"Uh…I'm not exactly sure. Maybe Clockwork can help, or at least give us a tip where we need to go in this mess," Danny suggested.
"Well, if you're going to the Ghost Zone, we're tagging along with you! No way we'll let you get infected by another ghost parasites or having to fight skeletons alone!" Tucker cheered.
"He's right you know," Sam said.
Danny smiled, "I know he's right. How about you guys meet here tomorrow morning, we'll discuss our plans then make a move."
"Sounds good to me!" Tucker said, while running around his room gathering supplies.
"See you tomorrow! And make sure you get PLENTY of rest."
"Will do, Sam."
The video chat ended, and the young ghost hybrid slowly crawled into bed. He felt so drained, from all the excitement of the day. He slowly crawled under his sheets, and tried to close his weakened eye lids, but at that sudden moment, he couldn't. He felt his body crawl back out of the comfort of his bed, and calmly sit on the floor, where the Vul Strin rested any began reading it. Was the book forcing him to read? He instinctively turned to a page that he was unfamiliar with.
Darkness can never truly be silenced. It always finds a way through the crescents of its seal. Though the dragon that ruled the land of the dead is sealed, his presence will rise again, his hatred will return, and the worlds will be consumed by obscurity. There is no absolute way to prevent this awful reality from coming. There will be a time when hope is vanquished, but a spark will shine and bring a new revolution. A new hope shall open the locked doors of light that slumbers and bring the strength of thousands to defeat whomever breathes the toxin of the dark…
And that's chapter four! Sadly not a whole lot happened, but believe me when I say there is quite a bit of information revealed! I'm pretty excited to post what will happen next! Again, I can't guarantee a good posting time, but please stay tune for chapter five!
~ DragonRider17